PolarCoat™

PolarCoat™

PolarCoat™: A Breakthrough Technology in the Polarized Field

PolarCoat™

At the high end of sunglass technology, polarized lenses not only reduce glare and improve sharpness, they also filter all disturbing reflections coming from horizontal surfaces on land (road, grass), water (sea, lake, wet soil) as well as dashboard reflections on windshields. Drivers, sportspeople, fishermen and many others will confirm: polarized lenses are unequaled.

But until now, the only polarized technology available was based on the insertion of a polarizing film into a sandwich of two lenses, glass or plastic, meaning thicker lenses, complex- thus costly- manufacturing processes, and the risk of delamination (by friction and wear, sweating, or thermal chocks).

Thanks to PolarCoat™ patented technology, the culmination of several years of research and through testing, lens manufacturers licensed by Corning can now apply a surface treatment with 99% of polarization efficiency (PE). This new coating, launched in early 2010, is applied on the backside of plano sunglass lenses. In the near future, it will be available for the front-side treatment of semi-finished prescription lenses and of bi-refringent materials such as polycarbonate and nylon.

A cost-effective technology that will allow polarized sunglass marketers to reach new targets

Optimization of the switching time to new models

A simple business model, dedicated to Corning's licensed partners who are supplied with the Polarizing Dye Solution (PDS), the activation chemicals, and of course the initial training.

How is PolarCoat™ Technology Applied?

1. The surface of the substrate is first chemically treated, then mechanically brushed in a specific way to determine the future orientation of the molecule chains
2. The Polarizing Dye Solution (PDS) is applied
3. Drying stage, during which the self-alignment of PDS molecules creates the polarizing effect
4. Chemical encapsulation of the polarizing layer
5. Primer with strong adhesive properties
6. Scratch-resistant protective layer (onto which an anti-reflective layer can also be applied)

Chemi: Corning’s new partner for PolarCoat™

Chemilens manufacturing plant in Korea

"Chemilens: The new experience for eyes comforts..."

At Mido 2013 Corning and Chemi have officially announced their partnership for the launch of PolarCoatTM, the Corning polarizing coating technology.

Chemilens in a few words:

Date of Establishment: 1988

Manufacturing Locations: Korea, China and Vietnam (soon)

Market position: world manufacturer leader for high index plastic lenses

Interview with Mr. S.Y Lee, Chairman of Chemilens:

Chemilens is entering the world of Polarized Lens Manufacturer

The ophthalmic lens market has been focused on delivering the right prescription lens up to now. In other words, lens manufacturers have sold corrective lenses to patients. However, times have changed and consumers are not satisfied with their vision correction only.

At Chemilens, we believe that we are going to the new age where eyeglasses are not only for vision correction but also for the patients comfort. Chemilens is now transforming ourselves from a corrective lens provider to the provider of a new experience for eye comfort. We want to be the company which provides a new experience of human eye comfort to all the people, whether they need vision correction or not.

For this reason, Chemilens has decided to enter into the “Polarized lens” world to become a key manufacturer of Polarized lenses. Corning PolarCoat™ technology matches perfectly with our philosophy. Polarized lenses have been on the market for a long time and theoretically it’s considered as one of the best ophthalmic lenses for human eye health. However, it was also obvious that using the current Polarized Film technology was bringing some technical limitations. With the new innovative Corning Polarized Coating Technology (PolarCoat™), we can enter into the small world of the Polarized lens manufacturers with a strong added value and look to the future with confidence.

Here are a few concrete examples to demonstrate PolarCoat™ technology advantages:

When traditional polarized technology (Polarized film) is used between 2 wafers, it reveals severe distortion coming from the stress of the lenses while PolarCoatTM Polarized coating applied on the convex or the concave lens surface provides uniform polarized function with outstanding optical performance.

In addition, Polarized lenses with conventional film are not very good for Rimless or semi-rimless frames while PolarCoatTM shows excellent fitting performance.

Traditional polarized lens thickness is not so good due to the different elements (Wafer + Polarized film + wafer) while the PolarCoat™ technology gives the advantage to maximize the lens thickness for any type of prescriptions including more severe prescriptions. The patient will take advantage of this as the edge thickness will be minimized. It’s a key advantage for a company like Chemilens which is already as of today the world manufacturer leader for 1.6 and 1.67 clear lenses.

Last but not least, Chemilens ambition with PolarCoat™ is not only to penetrate the Polarized market for prescription lens but it’s also to become a new premium Polarized supplier for sun lens.

Together with PolarCoat™, Chemilens is moving to the world of Polarized lenses where we will bring new experience for eyes comfort.